In search of horcrux - 7

"Several more reporters who've been critical of the Ministry and the idea of any kind of truce with You-Know-Who have gone missing. Most of those who've disappeared have been sympathetic to the Order," Mr. Weasley said, sighing heavily.

"Missing? D'you think Voldemort has had something to do with it?" Harry asked, his shoulders stiffening.

"No. I don't think so. There hasn't been a Dark Mark spotted over any of their homes, and the Death Eaters have been meticulous about using them all across Britain," Mr. Weasley replied.

"That could be intentional though," Hermione said, peering over Harry's other shoulder so she could see Mr. Weasley's reflection. "I mean, they could purposely not use it if they were doing something they wanted to keep quiet, right?"

"I suppose, but I don't think so," Mr. Weasley said, scratching his head. "There have been several Ministry officials who've opposed Umbridge who have also gone missing. She's tightening her grip on power and accusing anyone who disagrees with her of treason."

"The old bat," Ron said, scowling.

"Be careful of her, Dad," Ginny said, her brow knitting. "She's sadistic – just look at what she did to Harry's hand."

"I'm aware of her methods, pumpkin. Don't worry about me; you watch out for yourselves. I'm afraid of what's going to happen the next time there's trouble, and I'd prefer it if you four weren't anywhere in the vicinity," Mr. Weasley said sternly.

"Why, what else has happened?" Harry asked.

"There was another new Decree issued today detailing the rules Aurors must follow for engagement with Death Eaters. Umbridge is trying so hard to appease You-Know-Who that she's created so much red tape it's nearly impossible for the Aurors to act in a crisis. The first attack under these orders will be devastating," Mr. Weasley replied, his mouth set in a grim line.

"Great," Harry muttered under his breath. "All right, Mr. Weasley. Just see what you can do about alerting someone in the press that I'll be in Diagon Alley in two days."

"Will do, Harry. Take care of yourselves," Mr. Weasley said before his image faded.

*~*~*

Harry awoke on the morning of their planned trip to Diagon Alley feeling so warm and peaceful that he didn't want to rise. He was spooned around Ginny and stray wisps of her hair were tickling his nose. They had been extremely chaste as they went to bed each night they'd been in the inn. Ron's presence in the room cooled Harry's ardor considerably. Still, sometime during each night his instincts would take over, and he'd awake to find himself wrapped in Ginny's embrace. It was something he could easily get used to, and he worried about it.

The closer he got to finding the last hidden Horcrux, the closer Harry got to having to make some painful decisions. He sometimes wondered if he was subconsciously putting off finding information on Ravenclaw. He knew he had to do it, but the idea terrified him. This little glimpse of what a life with Ginny could be like – waking up each morning wrapped in her arms – was both painful and sweet. Life had never been exactly easy on him, but somehow, the idea of having to give up this newfound contentment was more than he could bear.

As if sensing his inner turmoil, Ginny shifted in her sleep, rolling over and snuggling up to him, her nose buried in his chest. Harry wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close and allowing his tension to abate. Professor Dumbledore had told him that his greatest strength was love. Harry didn't really understand how that would help him defeat Voldemort, but he did know that she made him feel better than he ever had. Perhaps this feeling she gave him inside – this intense desire to live – was what would aid him in the end.